It's Spring 1942, and the world is at war. Five major powers struggle for supremacy: Germany and Japan are aligned against the great alliance of the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, and the United States.

Designed for 2–5 players, Axis & Allies: 1942 takes place at the historical high-water mark of Axis expansion. Controlling one of the Axis or Allied powers, players command both their country's military forces and its war-time economy, with the chance to plan attacks, marshal forces into embattled territories, and resolve conflicts. Victory will go to the side that conquers its opponents on the field of battle and liberates or occupies the greatest cities of the world. Change the course of history in a few short hours!

The second edition of Axis & Allies: 1942 features an expanded game board (40"x26"), a change to the unit set-up, five new sculpts (UK artillery, submarine & destroyer units; German artillery; a Russian submarine; and antiaircraft artillery), and a few rules changes, e.g., AA-Guns have been replaced by AAA Guns, ICs have integrated air defense against strategic bombing raids, and Honolulu is now a victory city.